Physics [Competency Based] (1st semester)

Course Description

Physics is designed to provide students with an overview of traditional physics and the latest research in the field. Beginning with Newtonian mechanics, students learn that every object is acted upon by multiple predictable forces. The course moves on to investigate the laws of thermodynamics, covering fluid mechanics and the relationship between matter and energy. The course also explores the various models used to explain and apply the universal forces of electricity and magnetism. Students learn the characteristics of waves and the basics of optics before the final set of lessons on atomic physics. Here, students review the characteristics of the atom and its elemental particles and apply their knowledge to modern physics. Topics in this course will be reinforced through interactive, online lab assignments.

Course Breakdown

• Frames of reference
• Distance and displacement
• Speed and velocity
• Types of acceleration
• Forces and their effect on motion
• Satellite and projectile motion
• Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
• Pressure in different mediums
• Work and power
• Kinetic and potential energy
• Momentum and collisions
• Machines and their advantages
• Circular motion
• Simple harmonic motion
• Pendulums
• Kepler's laws
• Fluid dynamics
• Pascal, Archimedes, and Bernoulli
• Temperature scales
• Heat and energy transfer
• Specific heat capacity and entropy
• Four laws of thermodynamics

Course Goals

1. Apply the principles of kinematics to one-dimensional motion and two-dimensional systems.
2. Apply Newton's Laws of Motion to forces and related quantities in linear systems.
3. Analyze conservation principles as applied to energy and momentum.
4. Distinguish between multiple types of simple machines and their properties.
5. Distinguish circular motion from linear motion.
6. Relate concepts of simple harmonic motion to pendulums and planetary systems of motion.
7. Analyze fluid dynamics systems using the principles developed by Bernoulli, Pascal, and Archimedes.
8. Apply the laws of thermodynamics to heat and energy.